Braves Add Right-Handed Pitcher And Make Trade For Bench Help

RHP Gavin Floyd And Ryan Doumit

Braves general manager Frank Wren revealed that by signing Gavin Floyd to a one-year contract, he likely ended his pursuit of a veteran presence for Atlanta's starting rotation.

To the Braves, Floyd stood as the most logical fit as they shopped an unattractive starting pitching market with limited dollars to spend and the desire to find a short-term solution who would not block the path of some of the organization's talented young starters.

"You are looking at who is the best fit for you, who fits your team, who fits your payroll, all of those things," Wren said. "We felt Gavin was a real good fit for us."

There is no doubt the Braves are taking on a risk with Floyd, who is seven months removed from Tommy John surgery. Initially, it appeared Floyd would need 14-19 months of rehab.

But after reading Dr. David Altchek's latest reports and informing their own doctors about how Floyd is already throwing pain-free from a distance of 180 feet, the Braves were willing to take this risk and tab Floyd as the man who could eventually provide the depth and insurance they needed in the rotation.

Wren is confident Floyd will be available to join Atlanta's rotation at some point in May.

Doumit is a capable pinch-hitter who can be utilized as a catcher, first baseman or corner outfielder. The 32-year-old veteran batted .247 with 14 home runs and a .710 OPS while compiling 538 plate appearances with the Twins this year.

With this acquisition, the Braves have gained the power potential they had not previously had on their bench. Doumit has hit at least 10 home runs in five of the past six seasons, and he belted a career-high 18 for the Twins in 2012.

Gilmartin has not lived up to expectations since the Braves took him with the 28th overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. The 23-year-old has gone 12-20 with a 4.23 ERA in 54 professional appearances. He compiled a 5.74 ERA in the 17 starts he made for Triple-A Gwinnett this year.

One person was killed Saturday morning on Ochs Highway. Another person in the same vehicle was taken to the hospital. An 18-wheeler was coming down the mountain, and hit three cars traveling up the mountain. Ochs Highway was closed in both directions, and HAZMAT crews were at the scene. The wreck happened at mid-morning. (click for more)

A home was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning in Hixson. Around 2:30 a.m. , the Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded to a possible house fire at 904 Wesley Drive in Hixson. When the first unit arrived on the scene, they reported the second floor of the home was completely engulfed with fire. Firefighters conducted a defensive ... (click for more)

All politics aside, the recent shooting in Florida, and every other shooting in a public place, is a senseless and, possibly, preventable tragedy. It is absurd that we can’t gather in a free society without the fear of some nut job or terrorist using us as targets. And then the cries of “do something!” from every quarter. But, other than the obvious attempt by agenda-pushers ... (click for more)

On Friday morning, this after a crazed human being killed 17 innocent children and adults at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, I sat in a room with Sheriff Jim Hammond and members of his command staff and asked what everyone us want to know: “What do we do?” Gino Bennett, the sage guiding force, sat beside me and he told the room, “The time to ‘prevent’ is over ... (click for more)